D&L Industries Inc. has constructed a multi-million peso solar-powered water distribution system in Barangay Quirangay, Camalig, Albay.
The multi-million-peso sustainable water project took two years to plan and conceptualize, and was developed through the initiative of D&L unit Chemrez Inc. and through a substantial financial grant from doTerra International, one of the world’s leading and pioneering essential oil companies.
D&L said the project benefits the community of 300 households, mostly coconut farmers.
“The steady livelihood and well-being of coconut farmers and their families have always been one of the main thrusts of Chemrez Techonologies, Inc., which runs the country’s first continuous coco biodiesel plant, as well as the leading manufacturer of sustainable integrated coco oleo chemical-based specialty ingredients, powder coatings and resins,” D&L said.
“With the success of the pilot project, plans are now underway to replicate it in other areas where coconut farming communities stand to benefit,” it added.
The water system has 12 tap stands operated by a solar-powered pump. It eases the tasks of fetching potable water from the town’s single water source, which takes up to four hours lining up to fill water containers.
“Most are school-age kids of coconut farmers, mainly tasked at home to fill up four 20-gallon containers, and they are often late for school,” D&L said.
Coinciding with the solar water launch, the Lao Foundation also offered scholarships for deserving students, in partnership with technical vocational schools in the area, the company said.
“The foundation currently has 139 tech-voc graduates from Don Bosco Legaspi, Don Bosco Naga, and DualTech Canlubang immersing as in-plant-trainees(IPTs). They are then given employment opportunities in the different manufacturing facilities under the D&L Group,” D&L said.
The Lao Foundation is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) partner of D&L.
The Foundation also partnered with award-winning sustainable agriculture advocate group Agrea to provide sustainable, climate change- adaptive farm-based, human-centered, technical, livelihood, and life skills training for close to 30 coconut farmers and their beneficiaries thru Bantonan Community Development Cooperative (BACODECO).
“The Philippines remains one of the world’s leading coconut sources, generating north of $2 billion in yearly export earnings for the economy. Around 3.5 million livelihoods of farmers are directly connected to the coconut industry,” D&L said.
